A criminal known as 'Torswats' used AI-generated synthetic voices to make dozens of false bomb and shooting threats to schools and other locations across the United States as part of a paid swatting service, leading to lockdowns, evacuations, and police responses.
From February 2023 onwards, an individual operating under the name 'Torswats' on Telegram conducted a nationwide swatting campaign using computer-generated synthetic voices to make false bomb and mass shooting threats. The operation targeted schools, businesses, and private residences across multiple states including Iowa, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Texas, and California. Torswats offered their services for payment, charging $75 to close down a school and $50 for 'extreme swattings' involving handcuffing and house searches, accepting cryptocurrency payments. The synthetic voice technology allowed real-time responses to operator questions during emergency calls. Motherboard identified at least 35 distinct recordings uploaded by Torswats, with filenames suggesting up to 170 total incidents. One specific case involved Hempstead High School in Dubuque, Iowa, where the fake bomb threat led to school lockdown and police searches, resulting in charges against a 16-year-old customer. The FBI confirmed awareness of the threats and their investigation involvement. Torswats remained operational until recently deleting recordings after media coverage, claiming to suspend services temporarily.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to gain a personal advantage over others such as through cheating, fraud, scams, blackmail or targeted manipulation of beliefs or behavior. Examples include AI-facilitated plagiarism for research or education, impersonating a trusted or fake individual for illegitimate financial benefit, or creating humiliating or sexual imagery.
Human
Due to a decision or action made by humans
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed